July Beauty Favorites!

July Beauty Favorites

It's that time of the month again! I rounded up some products that I couldn't get enough of this past month. Some months go by where I discover some old favorites, but this month I discovered a lot of new favorites that I'm sure I'll continue loving throughout the year. I didn't want to make this post massive, so I picked most of the standout products!

Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush - $190

At first when I was using this brush I couldn't understand what the big hype was. BUT, I was determined to keep using it to see if it really made any difference. I have thick, fine hair and it breaks easily. I try to minimize breakage as best as I can with hair products, but I never gave much thought about the brushes I'm using. I've tried Boar bristle in the past, and found it hard to make the change. With the particular brushes I tried, I felt that they didn't get through my hair as well. I brush my hair around 3-4 times a day - once in the morning, a couple of times mid-day and once before I go to sleep. I'm not at all lying that I've seen a noticeable change in how shiny my hair looks as well as the decrease in breakage. Every time I brush my hair, I habitually look each time down at the floor to see if any ends have broken off. Since I've been using only this brush for the past month, it has reduced by 90%. I actually really enjoy brushing my hair with it and the massaging feeling on my scalp (it might be harsh on your scalp if you have thin hair, but I love the feeling). I also can get an extra day out of my hair before washing it. It's hard to tell you to go out and purchase a $200 hair brush, but I think they are worth it and they will last a lifetime.

Nature's Gate Glow Lotion for Medium Skin tones - $13.99

I bought this subtle self-tanner on a whim because of the positive reviews on Amazon. I honestly didn't expect much since I haven't heard of it prior, but it was love at first application. The lotion is all natural and cruelty-free and contains loads of moisturizing ingredients including soybean oil, sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, shea butter and more. With one application, you get beautiful subtle golden color. If you apply it a few days in a row, you can really build up a good tan. In comparison to Jergens Natural Glow, Jergens is a bit orange, but Nature's Glow is very golden bronze. I love it! I've been using it regularly on my body. The best part is the price. It's only around $13-14 for a 16 oz bottle.

Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum - $28.50

Mascara primer is a must for me. I've been using Shiseido Mascara Base for around 3 years now, but was curious to try something different. I've been using this every day and I think I'm a new convert! I'll do a comparison post, but so far I can tell that the Dior base is much more gentle on my lashes. It really works great for adding an extra oomph to my lashes. It makes them look slightly longer, and much more volumized.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner - $20

This is a top-rated liquid liner and I've been wanting to try it for ages. Just as I assumed I would, I love it! The tip is perfect for creating thin lines and unlike some felt tips, I haven't had any issues with it being overly saturated or dry to the point where I have to shake it. I can create a perfect wing in seconds and I love the fact that the color is such an intense black that I only need one layer. It lasts perfectly well until I remove it! *Mine is a sample size I received from Sephora for 100 Beauty Insider Points.

Swatches from left to right: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner, MAC Lightsweep Shaping Pro Powder, Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector.

Christian Dior Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos and Swatches!

Christian Dior Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette

I've quickly turned into a Dior junkie ever after trying my first quint (Crush Glow). Thankfully, Dior doesn't have a huge selection of colors in their permanent line that are tempting enough for me to go nuts over. I find warm toned palettes with shades of golds and browns to be hard to resist, which are more common in their seasonal palettes.

Some of the palettes are a hit or a miss pigmentation-wise, but I've had very positive experiences with Dior so far. I love their buttery soft texture, blendability and luminous finish.

Believe it or not, I've had my Urban Decay Naked Palette for quite some time now, and I barely ever reach for it. And honestly, I'm not even sure why. There is a decent selection of colors and all, but it's definitely a highly raved product that doesn't get much love from me on a weekly basis.

I'm very "pro" convenience/low-maintenance products, and I find the convenience of the Dior 5-color palettes very appealing. They are housed in a very sturdy mirrored compact and contain 5 shades of shadow that compliment each other for a variety of looks. They also contain two double-sided applicators, which believe it or not - I actually use each time I use my Dior palettes. One side of the sponge is large for applying color all over the lid, and the other side is smaller for lining the eyes and/or applying color through the crease. It's everything you need, in a small compact.

With a couple Sephora gift cards I had left over from Christmas, I treated myself to the Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow palette.

Rosy Tan contains a warm brown with fine gold shimmer, a light pink pearl, a velvety taupe-brown, a silvered metallic brown and an icy champagne-pink pearl. All of the shades work very well together for a soft, neutral look. I'm especially loving the middle shade - it's probably the prettiest color I own for an inner-corner and brow bone highlight. My second favorite shade from the palette is probably the silvery brown on the bottom left. 

Christian Dior Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette

Review: Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Hydrating Makeup Foundation

 Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Hydrating Makeup Foundation

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Containing nearly 40% Active Mineralized water, this fluid foundation offers a fresh and hydrating finish. Your complexion appears smooth, silky and feels more comfortable due to micronized water droplets. This formula offers lightweight coverage, while it evens out the complexion and helps it appear more radiant and transparent.

With daily use, the skin texture improves for a long-lasting natural glow.

*Clinically proven to improve skin quality +27% after 4 weeks (Clinical study carried out by a dermatologist on 30 women: assessment before application and on bare skin after 4 weeks of daily use)

Dior currently has a selection six liquid foundations (including the airbrush spray foundation), with Diorskin Nude (Fluid) being the most popular.

I've been bored with my foundations lately, and Diorskin Nude peaked my interest as I noticed that it - or was, a favorite among many beauty bloggers. So, I decided to pick it up during Sephora's VIB sale.

The numbering system with this foundation is as follows:

yellow undertones = ends in 1

pink undertones = ends in 2

neutral undertones = ends in 0

peach undertones = ends in 3

Knowing that, helped me figure out my foundation shade a little easier. I know that I need a yellow based foundation, so my choices were 021, 031 or 051. So there's basically a light skin match, medium and dark with not much in between - for yellow undertones, that is. The lightest yellow shade (021) actually isn't that light. I'd say it's around a NC20 in the MAC coloring system, not far from a NC25.

CONTINUE READING!

Oldie but Goodie: Dior Five Golds 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette + Swatches!

Dior Five Golds 5-Colour Eyeshadow

I typically don't like posting about products that are limited edition from old collections or that are discontinued, but I had to make an exception for Dior's Five Golds Quint. I got a hold of this beauty in a blog sale for a fraction of the price, and I'm loving it!

Five Golds was one of the two, 5-Colour Eyeshadow palettes available last winter from Dior's 2010 Holiday Collection. Five Golds includes a charcoal black with silver sparkles (reminiscent of MAC Black Tied); metallic copper-gold; metallic medium-toned bronzed brown; metallic silver and a pale, shimmery golden ivory.

READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL INFO, PHOTOS AND SWATCHES!

Dior Sugar and Spice Diorblush Glowing Powder Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

Dior Sugar and Spice Blush

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Dior presents the first blush that plays on color intensity and a variety of finishes to create a natural, healthy glow with a subtle sparkle. A matte finish enhances the natural skin tone, while a pearly finish highlights the planes of the face. Silky and lightly scented, this Couture blush comes in a wide range of colors to suit all skin tones. (DIOR)

There are ten blushes to choose from: Vintage Pink, Sugar & Spice, Peechy Keen, Rodebud, English Rose, Pink in Love, Strawberry Sorbet, Sunkissed Cinnamon, Passion Fruit and A Touch of Blush.

From what I understand, each blush has two blushes with two different finishes - One matte and one with shimmer or frost. You can wear them individually or together, but they should work hand in hand with each other. 

Dior Sugar and Spice is a velvety matte warm cinnamon and a warm, frosty peachy pink. When mixed together, it creates a sparkling warm peachy cinnamon. I want to say that the matte side is similar to MAC Coppertone or Gingerly Blush, but when I swatched them together, both Gingerly and Coppertone are more orange, whereas Sugar and Spice has more of a brick red tone. They are definitely in the same color family, but they aren't at all dupes. It's actually a bit similar to the color of MUFE HD Creme Blush in #10 (See a swatch here).

Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Star Review with Photos & Swatches!

Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Star

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: A light-filled pressed powder enriched with Jeweled Microdust™. These five micro-shimmering tones set off sparks of brilliance, highlighting your complexion. The ultra-fine, super-blendable formula virtually fuses with your skin for a sheer, radiant luminosity. (SEPHORA)

Dior Diorskin Shimmer Star is available in two shades: Amber Diamond and Rose Diamond. They are both highlighting shades, but because Rose Diamond contains pink tones, it can also be considered a blush.

Amber Diamond contains five stripes of warm frosty shades: An ivory with golden-yellow frost, champagne, tan, bronze and golden peach. When all of the shades are swirled together, it creates a beautiful warm, champagne/tan glow.

I tried comparing it to other highlighters of mine, but it's actually very different than anything I own. The only thing I could compare is the first strip of color is almost identical to Nars Albatross or MAC Vanilla Pigment. From the looks of it, it may be comparable to Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips or Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick, but from swatches I've seen, Amber Diamond seems a little less frosty & subtle. To be honest, at first I figured this highlighter was overrated. To me, it didn't look like anything special I should go run out and buy - but after trying it, I see what all of the hype is about. It is frosty - but when applied to the cheeks, it's so subtle and it almost becomes one with your skin. It's easy to blend and gives the prettiest glow that's not overpowering. (No disco ball, here!)

Yesterday my Mom had asked me what I have on my cheeks that's so glowy, so I handed her the highlighter to test out herself and she loved it. Right after, we went grocery shopping and this woman stopped us in the middle of the aisle and was like "Is this your daughter!?" Caught completely off guard, we nodded and smiled politely, and she was like "No wonder! She has your glowing skin!" She actually went on for a couple minutes and mentioned how nice it must be to go to Wal-mart and get complimented. As we walked off, I mentioned to my Mom that it must be the Dior. It was kinda funny.

Dior Crush Glow 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos & Swatches!

I received this palette in a swap yesterday, and thought I would share with you some photos & swatches!

Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow No. 659 Crush Glow

Product Description: Your eyes have never beheld such brilliance. Shimmering palettes created with Dior's phenomenal new Wet Reflect™ technology. Ultra-reflective. Ultra-luminous. Ultra-incredible. Five metallic-rich shades in each palette. Silky-smooth and weightless. So blendable, the colors virtually fuse with the skin for looks that defy creasing, smudging or fading. (Source: http://nordstrom.com)

Crush Glow was a part of Dior's Summer 2010 collection. The palette contains a peachy gold shimmer, light pink/champagne shimmer, copper bronze shimmer, coral-pink with a slight frost and a silvery taupe with a pink pearl. All of the shadows are soft and pigmented. The bronze is the most pigmented shade from the quint. All of the colors are beautiful and they all go very well with each other. I think it's a perfect color palette for the Spring & Summer.

Now that Dior has reformulated their 5-Colour Eyeshadows, Crush Glow seems to resemble Sunset Cafe - but after looking up swatches of Sunset Cafe, they are a bit different and I actually like Crush Glow much, much more.

Here are the colors swatched without a base.

Although I haven't tested any of the colors on my eyes, just from swatching them, I'm very satisfied with the color payoff, blendability and consistency of the shadows (they are so soft!)

I'm excited to try it out, and I should have some looks for you soon!

What is your favorite Dior Quint??